Academic Calendar
The academic year officially starts 1 August and ends 31 July. The academic year is divided into two teaching semesters:
- Autumn 1 September - 31 December
- Spring 1 January - 31 May
In some faculties both semesters are divided into two teaching periods per semester with an exams week between each period. Some courses are in session for just one period and some for the whole semester. Exchange students are expected to be present at the University for the whole semester.
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Orientation course for exchange students
Official Arrival Days: 2 - 3 January 2012
Orientation Course: 4 - 5 January 2012
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Orientation course for degree students
Orientation Course: 2 September 2011
- All international students should arrive for the Orientation Course which is held at the beginning of each semester. Normally courses start directly after the Orientation Course, in some fields even before.
- Some of the courses will have already started in August; for example, studies at the Faculty of Medicine start at the beginning of August.
- If you are an exchange student and plan to participate in courses organized by other universities in Turku, you should check the starting dates of the courses from their web-pages.
- In most disciplines there is no summer time teaching available. However degree students may participate in summer examinations when available.
Public holidays in Finland for the academic year 2011 - 2012:
5 November - All Saint's Day (Pyhäinpäivä)
6 December - Independence Day (Itsenäisyyspäivä)
25 December - Christmas Day (Joulupäivä)
26 December - Boxing Day (Tapaninpäivä)
1 January - New Year's Day (Uudenvuodenpäivä)
6 January - Epiphany (Loppiainen)
6 April - Good Friday (Pitkäperjantai)
8 April - Easter Sunday (Pääsiäispäivä)
9 April - Easter Monday (2. pääsiäispäivä)
1 May - May Day (Vappu)
17 May - Ascension Day (Helatorstai)
27 May - Whit Sunday (Helluntaipäivä)
23 June - Midsummer (Juhannuspäivä)
- Students have a winter break during the Christmas holidays. International students should be aware that on holidays (pyhäpäivä) businesses are usually closed and that local busses run on the Sunday time schedule - both Sundays and holidays are called pyhäpäivä on bus timetables. Most businesses will also close early on the Eves of Christmas, New Year's Day, May Day and Midsummer. If you are staying in Finland for the Christmas holidays, please note that local busses run normally up until the afternoon on Christmas eve and do not run at all on Christmas Day.
Photo: Perttu Saksa 2010